Jarod Figueroa with Northern Wind Native Dancers entertains the crowds at Old Colorado City May 26. The festival, which celebrates Old Colorado City being the first capital of Colorado, continues each year from Friday through Monday, Memorial Day. Photo by Jerilee Bennett

Territory Days in Old Colorado City canceled due to COVID-19

A bald eagle, from HawkQuest, shows his wings for the crowds at a previous Territory Days. This year's Memorial Day weekend event has been canceled due to COVID-19. Photo by Jerilee Bennett

JERILEE BENNETT THE GAZETTE

Jarod Figueroa with Northern Wind Native Dancers entertains the crowds at Old Colorado City May 26. The festival, which celebrates Old Colorado City being the first capital of Colorado, continues each year from Friday through Monday, Memorial Day. Photo by Jerilee Bennett

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Thousands attended the second day of Territory Days in Old Colorado City on Sunday, May 26, 2019. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

There will be no funnel cake, beer garden or Native American dancers on the streets of Old Colorado City this Memorial Day weekend.

The popular Territory Days, which attracts about 50,000 attendees to its blocks-long party, has been canceled due to COVID-19. The Wild West-themed celebration was slated for May 23-25.

The free event was founded in 1975 to celebrate the small section of town that was once the Colorado Territory's first capital, even before Denver. The cabin in Bancroft Park was the state Capitol.

"For 45 years Territory Days has provided a unique festival that has been a part of the Old Colorado City tradition of history, arts, conservation, education, family fun, and of course, the legendary food, for generations. You can trust we will continue with this tradition for many years to come," wrote event organizers Pro-Promotions and Old Colorado City Association in a press release.

Gov. Jared Polis has said large gatherings should not take place until there is a vaccine, effective treatment or enough herd immunity to stop the spread of the virus.